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Lot Essay
Claude Lalanne created works of remarkable originality, drawing inspiration from the organic elements commonly found in the world around her - predominantly the flora and fauna surrounding her picturesque home in Ury, France. She transformed nature into sculptural metal artworks that echo everyday furnishings, enriched by her whimsical approach to scale and proportion. In these pieces, oversized ginkgo leaves lend a touch of enchantment, drawing from the aesthetics of Art Nouveau and surrealism, and evoking in viewers the nostalgic charm of fairy tales and childhood dreams. The intricate textures and fine details convey a lifelike quality rarely seen in metalwork.
This group of ‘Ginkgo’ works (lots 32-35) exemplify Claude's imaginative vision and masterful craftsmanship, perfectly reflected in the words of Yves Saint Laurent: “What touches me about her is her ability to combine craftsmanship and poetry in the same requirement. Her fine sculptor’s hands seem to disperse the fog of mystery to reach the shores of art.” (Yves Saint Laurent, “My friend Claude,” Vogue, No. 747, June-July 1994, p. 162).
The ginkgo leaf has been a recurring theme throughout Claude Lalanne’s work and is perhaps one of her most defining motifs. Over the course of her career, she embellished mirrors, jewellery, and furniture with its distinctive fan-shaped leaves - emblems of peace, hope and longevity. Amongst her most celebrated and iconic creations is the ‘Ginkgo’ dining suite and accompanying bench, produced in both gilt bronze and aluminium. The ‘Ginkgo’ works in this collection (lots 32-35) feature a rare, green-painted finish, which Claude only employed on a select few of her works, presenting a rare opportunity to acquire a complete ‘Ginkgo’ set in a truly distinctive variation.
This group of ‘Ginkgo’ works (lots 32-35) exemplify Claude's imaginative vision and masterful craftsmanship, perfectly reflected in the words of Yves Saint Laurent: “What touches me about her is her ability to combine craftsmanship and poetry in the same requirement. Her fine sculptor’s hands seem to disperse the fog of mystery to reach the shores of art.” (Yves Saint Laurent, “My friend Claude,” Vogue, No. 747, June-July 1994, p. 162).
The ginkgo leaf has been a recurring theme throughout Claude Lalanne’s work and is perhaps one of her most defining motifs. Over the course of her career, she embellished mirrors, jewellery, and furniture with its distinctive fan-shaped leaves - emblems of peace, hope and longevity. Amongst her most celebrated and iconic creations is the ‘Ginkgo’ dining suite and accompanying bench, produced in both gilt bronze and aluminium. The ‘Ginkgo’ works in this collection (lots 32-35) feature a rare, green-painted finish, which Claude only employed on a select few of her works, presenting a rare opportunity to acquire a complete ‘Ginkgo’ set in a truly distinctive variation.